Goblin Talk

It’s review time!

Eddie Izzard

Maybe I’m a bit biased since I absolutely adore the man but the show was brilliant. I laughed until I gave myself a headache. Quite an achievement actually.

There was one issue though.

The audience.

I know we’re rather a reserved bunch when it comes to musical events (which has always dismayed me a bit) but considering the price the tickets for Eddie cost, I was expecting something better for this. I was completely let down. Yes, there were many people who were happily enjoying it, but there was quite a few people who looked like they had been turned to stone and were incapable of laughing. Like the pair sitting in front of us.

This middle aged couple were sitting so still and quiet throughout the show that when we got an interval I was actually surprised to see them get up and move – up until that point I had assumed they were cardboard cutouts or very well made mannequins.

Maybe this is the reason we don’t get many phenomenal international acts. For them, it must feel like they’re performing at a funeral. Get some life into you people, for fucks sakes, you were paying almost R600 each to be there.

I also didn’t realise that some people were so incredibly slow on the uptake either. But having jokes go over your head because you’re daft is an issue for another day.

But yes, Eddie was brilliant. I loved all his teeny tiny references to his earlier work…and to movies. Of course, I probably would have been happy if he had just come on stage, said hello and then buggered off again. Really. I know this because when he came out, I cried.

I do that from time to time. When I got to see the Offspring live? I cried.

Top Gear live? I cried.

Meeting Macauley Culkin? Well, I didn’t cry because I didn’t actually know at the time. But if I had known, I would have cried. In fact, since I was about 10 years old, I probably would have done a lot more than cry and the whole experience would have been a lot different. At which point I must say, yes the kid did silly things in those Home Alone movies, but he was actually a really lovely person to talk to. And his parents. And one of his brothers, I don’t actually know which one.

Anyway, the point is, I tend to cry whenever I get to see something live that I never thought I’d ever see. Now that, ladies and gents, is appreciation.

Now, our other review.

The Brightest Star in the Sky

This is Marian Keyes latest novel.

What’s it about?

At 66, Star Street in Dublin, someone is watching over the lives of the people living in its flats. But no one is aware of it – yet… One of them is ready to take the plunge and fall in love; another is torn between two very different lovers. For some, secrets they want to stay buried will come to light and for others, the unveiling of those secrets will have tragic consequences. Fate is on its way to Star Street, bringing with it love and tragedy, friendship and heartbreak, and the power to change their lives in the most unexpected of ways…

It’s not quite her usual fare. In fact, it feels like she’s feeling the pressure of all this interest in paranormal romance and what not and tried to include a bit of it in her writing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work.

Her earlier books all had me sitting HAVING to finish them in one sitting. I HAD to know what happened next. Sometimes, I laughed so much that I had to take a moment to compose myself.

This one however, doesn’t have quite the same draw. I mean, it’s not so bad that you’d just put it down and not finish it. It holds your interest enough to ensure that you want to get to the end, but it’s fairly predictable at times and there wasn’t actually any moment where I laughed out loud. It isn’t exactly that type of book. There are a few issues dealt with here that you can’t really joke about. They’re a bit sensative. I mean, I joke about them, but normal people don’t.

Another problem is that some people find this particular brand of storytelling confusing. You see, the book starts off on Day 66…or Day 61, I can’t quite remember…and then moves onto Day 65 (or Day 60). This made some people think that they were reading the book in reverse, i.e. time was going backwards. Of course, if they didn’t realise this wasn’t the case by chapter 3, then they’re bleeding morons, but whatever, we’ll just say the countdown can confuse some people.

Then there are the characters. Because there are so many, you’re chopping and changing between them with quite a bit of regularity and at times it was really hard to connect with some of them, a problem I’ve never really faced before with Marian’s books.

The message in the book though, well, that’s a very good, life affirming one. That’s what I love most about her books. You always walk away feeling better about life despite the bad/terrible/devestating things that can happen.

So to give it an actual rating, hmm…I’d say about a 5/10. It’s not bad, but it’s not brilliant either. It’s…average. *shrug*

And with that, have a happy happy weekend and all that jazz.

Yes, it is Eddie day. Finally. I will finally be able to rest easy once again tonight.

Do you know what is sad though? That I was never able to see George Carlin live before he pegged, because obviously it would be slightly difficult now what with him being dead and all.

Otherwise, quiet week. I’ve been a good little Goblin and been keeping to my schedule of exercise and studying. Oh and of course some work thrown in there every now and then as well.

So +5 points for me.

Then I get  -2 points (I’m choosing random numbers here, don’t get your knickers in a twist) for not being a good little blogger. I am terribly sorry about that.

And then I have an interview set up next week and I’m already behaving like a right tit about everything so let’s not put too much faith in the outcome of that.

But as the title says, I am calm.

And it is Eddie night.

Hooray.

Hell yeah baby! The Wii arrived on Friday in all it’s gloriousness. It was a wonderful time. Of course then, I had to get it working – and since the Boyf was at work, this meant figuring our all the wiring behind his amp. It was not an easy job, but finally, I accomplished the deed and I could play…without sound. Don’t give me that look, you try figuring out the right place for the sound cables to go in that birds nest.

So that’s why there was no post on Friday. I think it’s a reasonable excuse.

The excuse for today is um…well…hmm…AH HA! I’m studying! That’s it! Studying and working (if I’m needed) and you know, loads of interesting stuff.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow perhaps.

I suppose this is what I should expect in a week filled with watching Lord of the Rings and the anticipation of a weekend filled with cars.

No not MPH. I went to that last year remember? This year I decided  to give it a skip. (read: didn’t have a choice in the matter) Actually, the car filled weekend is only next week. It’s the classic car thing down at Killarney and my dad has decided to get over the embarassment we caused him last time and invite us again (read: he needs someone to drive him). Of course, I must clarify, it wasn’t me who caused any embarassment. It was in fact the Boyf. Apparently he never realised how boring it could be to sit there all day. Silly rabbit. I’m quite keen for it though actually, whilst I don’t enjoy the pangs of jealousy that I get from looking at the cars, they are still beautiful machines.

Anyway, where was I. Ah yes. So, cars and a Ghost King. That, my dear friends, is what my dream was centered around early this morning. I can’t remember specifics but basically it was a case of me being at some kind of car show (which later morphed into a school with annoying children). At some point,  I was talking to a dude I had grown up with (and haven’t seen in about 15 years) when someone clad in armour comes up to him and explains his destiny and gives him a sword. Once he takes the sword, he morphs into, well, a ghost king (obviously at this point) and clambers up on an elephant and buggers off to do some killing…and for some unbelievable reason, I decided to do dishes in a field. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you anything more because that’s when the Boyf woke me up to say goodbye this morning and try as I might, I couldn’t fall asleep again to slip back into it.

It was something like this. But more attractive.

The most awesome part about dreams like these is that my brain is in full on director mode and insists on epic music, proper editing and full on camerawork – all with special effects included.So really, it was a quite dull and arb concept turned into an epic.

Thank god no one decided to sing and make it a musical. If I had stayed asleep for the dish washing I’m sure it would have occurred though so maybe it’s a good thing I was woken up.

However my dear friends, that is merely a sideshow distraction. Today officially marks the one week point until I see the fantastic Eddie Izzard live and in colour. You really have no idea how exciting this is for me. I absolutely adore the strange little man. If I had aspirations to be a comedien (and I wasn’t as funny as a week old biscuit that has been left in the sun), he would be my idol. Although, I do wish I looked as good in leather pants and heels as he does. It’s just not fair that he has such attractive legs.

In other news…

• I’ve culled my FaceBook friends list a little. If you spout religious bullshit all day or are phenomenally homophobic, don’t be surprised that you’re no longer there. I just really don’t want to waste time even skimming over what you have to say, let alone reading it.
• If you had to buy me the ‘Keeping up Appearances’ DVD set, I would love you forever. Unless of course you fall under the first point. Then I’ll just say thank you and tell you to bugger off.
• I don’t care if Apple are releasing a tablet. I just don’t care. Please stop telling me. It was already embarassing enough when you people went crazy over the Magic Mouse (the only thing it does that is ‘magic’ is that it can right-click from what I can determine)
• There’s a reason I didn’t RSVP at first and then later said no, I won’t be coming after you nagged me. It’s because you sent the invitation via SMS. Dude, that’s so tacky. At least do it over the phone if you aren’t going to actually send invites. SMS though? WHAT THE FUCK?
• I seriously can’t wait for my Wii to arrive. Along with the games of course.  Every day at this point is alive with the possibility of it arriving and it might be driving me slightly mad. *SQUEEEE*

“Stop.”

It was barely more than a whisper, but she heard it clearly.

And that’s where the story ends. What happened before that? You tell me.

While you think about that though…
I’m as cynical and skeptical of everything as the next nutcase. Really. I am beyond happy that I can say that, without a doubt, I am not a conspiracy theorist. You guys should be writing fiction with some of the elaborate, illogical and downright stupid ideas you come up with. Do you honestly not have anything better to do? Real life isn’t a Mel Gibson movie so chances are, you really really do.

So please do it and take a minute to think a little bit before just spouting out some bullshit simply because the news started at 21:01 one night instead of at 21:00 on the dot. Let’s have some limits shall we?

I know it’s a short post today but I’m really excited about the possibilities of something happening. Sure, every other day was a let down but today might be different That being said, I’m not completely in the mood to go on a full blown rant about ridiculous conspiracy theories. Feel free to do your part in the comments though. Actually, I welcome it. Let’s call it a project. All you have to do is tell me the worst theory you’ve ever heard.